Sam Altman plans new AI venture as Mira Murati replaces him as CEO of OpenAI

Born in Albania to parents of Indian origin, and brought up in Canada, Murati has worked in aerospace, automotive, virtual reality, and augmented reality

A day after Sam Altman was ousted as chief executive officer (CEO) of artificial intelligence technology start-up OpenAI, he is reported to have discussed a possible comeback amidst moves to start a new AI project.

During talks at Tel Aviv University in the Israeli capital with OpenAI executives and some core OpenAI researchers, including researchers loyal to him, Altman is reported to have discussed ways to improve the company's governance structure or even start a new AI company.

The development comes a day after the board of the Microsoft-backed OpenAI, in a surprise move, fired Altman as CEO and appointed the company’s chief technology officer, Mira Murati, as interim CEO.

Mira Murati, 34, who was promoted to the role of OpenAI’s chief technology officer in May 2022, has effectively steered the company's operations, ensuring timely development of ChatGPT tools as per OpenAI's strategy. 

She has ensured timely development of ChatGPT versions by the engineering team, while also managing OpenAI's relationship with Microsoft, and deploying its technology. She played a pivotal role in shaping the company's artificial intelligence policy in the US and Europe, say employees of the AI start-up. 

"She has a demonstrated ability to assemble teams with technical expertise, commercial acumen and a deep appreciation for the importance of mission," Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella wrote in the Time magazine. "As a result, Mira has helped build some of the most exciting AI technologies we've ever seen."

Mira Murati's leadership helped translate academic research into practical products, making AI more accessible, thereby generating public interest in AI, he added.   

Born in Albania to parents of Indian origin, Murati was brought up in Canada. She is reported to have built a hybrid race car during her time at Dartmouth College. She is reported to have born.

Murati has worked in aerospace, automotive, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). Later, she joined Elon Musk's Tesla as a senior product manage where she played a key role in the development of the Model X. 

Murati also worked with a VR company, Leap Motion, where she focused on implementing applications of artificial intelligence in practical, real-world scenarios. 

A trilingual, she is fluent in Italian, Albanian and English.